Shillong, July 15: The jailed GNLA chief Champion Sangma may not have any more direct link with the Assam-based ULFA, but he still carries a “gift” from the outfit.

Every time he steps out of the jail for a court hearing, the once hard core militant leader wears a “gamosa”, a traditional Assamese towel, around his neck.

The white cotton towel was gifted to him by a colleague of none other than Paresh Baruah, the hard-line ULFA commander-in-chief.

“I forgot his name… but this towel carries a lot of value for me… I wear it whenever I was taken out by them (police),” Sangma told The Meghalaya Guardian while he was waiting for his turn for hearing of his bail plea in a lower court here today.

Expressing his affection towards the Assam and its people, Champion said, “This ‘gamosa’ is sign of my love for the Assamese people… We have been bound by century-old ties.”

He said he always wanted a good relation to be maintained with the neighbouring state.

“I also met Paresh Baruah in Myanmar,” said Champion, whose post of chairman the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) is yet to fill up, seen as an act of respect to the jailed leader.

While the Paresh Baruah-led United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has lost its strength over the years, the activities of GNLA, now led by its ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D Shira, are still a big challenge for the government.

Champion also revealed that he had met founder ULFA leader Anup Chetia in a Bangladesh jail where both were lodged before Champion was handed over to the BSF on the Indo-Bangla border at Pyrdiwah in East Khasi Hills district.

“He (Chetia) has in-depth knowledge about the situation in North-east. He is a resourceful man. While Paresh Baruah is known for his temper and military skills, Anup Chetia is respected for his insight on policy matters,” he whispered to this reporter in the corridor as hearing of other cases continued.

Although Champion was handed over by Bangladesh to India, the Indian security forces, in absence of an extradition treaty, had never formally admitted it and said he was spotted at Pyrdiwah and arrested there.

The GNLA chairman had left his “secured” job of a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) to form the GNLA along with Sohan D Shira in 2009.

He is perhaps the only high ranking police official to lead any militant outfit among over hundred armed groups in the North-east.

Shillong has broken almost a decade-long deadlock this New Year. For the first time in years, the Pine City hosted a festival that ended not before the dawn of January 1. The Midnight Festival organised by the state Art and Culture department reminded old timers the midnight revelry before the troubled days of 1990’s in the city.

“Localities in Shillong used to hold New Year functions till past midnight, but many have stopped since insurgency picked momentum in the capital city,” said Michael Syiem, who was busy with his ‘midnight swim’ when revellers welcomed 2015 at Khyndailad. Syiem’s Forever Young group started the ‘midnight swim’ 18 years ago.

Around six to eight thousand revellers, both local residents and tourists, had most of the night-long function in the heart of the city despite the bone-chilling cold.

The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) had organised New Year festivals with government support for a couple of years till around seven years ago.

“The government is trying to revive the festival and tap tourism potentials of the state further by organising such festivals,” said Sanjay Goyal, deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district.

Lauding the public for making the even successful while not letting any untoward incident happen, the DC said, “The chief minister is very much keen on such events which can contribute to tourism as well as boost the state’s image,” he said.

He also informed that the government is planning to publicise such events outside so that they become additional attraction for tourists to spend Christmas-to-New Year in Shillong.

There were a good number of tourists coming from neighbouring Assam to witness the festival.

“I am on a vacation and happened to be here today. This has inspired me to think of coming here next year too,” said one Jiten Deka from Guwahati.

MG: Being an earnest caver, how do you rate the caves of Meghalaya in world perspective?

TA: The caves that have been explored in Meghalaya to date are either impressive river caves connected to huge relic passages, or magnificent clean-washed shafts that give access to impressive underground stream passages. They create cave systems equal in size and beauty to any found elsewhere in the world, putting Meghalaya firmly on the world-caving map as a very significant caving region.

MG: Why caves are so important to be protected and explored?TA: There are scientific reasons:

1. The understanding of subterranean drain systems is vital for communities in karst areas. Where does the water flow to, and what quality has it when it reaches springs and resurgences? How do activities on the surface affect water tables and drinking water resources? What happens to wells and springs if underground streams are deviated or blocked? Answers to these questions can only be found within the caves.

2. To understand climate changes we need to know the climatological past of an area. This can be read in the sediments and soil deposits and these again are mainly to be found in cave sediments and cave formations. To destroy a cave means to tear irreplaceable pages off the book of earth history.

Ecological reasons:

– Caves are unique homes to rare and specialised animals and plants whose significance for the ecosystem is of eminent importance. In Meghalaya, bats are a good example: They hunt and eat insects, among others millions of flies and mosquitoes. Many of these are carriers of malaria and other tropical diseases. So, if the caves are destroyed or their environment is changed, the bats will leave the area concerned. Insect population will grow and so will the risk of people being infected by malaria.

Economical reasons:

– Caves are a fascinating world to most human beings – to have the chance of visiting this world, to explore it, to take part in an extraordinary adventure is a dream of many. A well-organised and expertly managed tourism where caves are a part of the scheme can create many jobs – raise the income and reputation of a community and create long term sustainable and eco-friendly businesses.

MG: What was the point of contact and how did you happen to caving in the Abode of Clouds in one of the remotest corners of India?TA: In 2002, I was invited by the leaders of the Caving in The Abode of Clouds Project to take part in the expedition – mainly because of my expertise in surveying and mapping. I have stayed with the project ever since and am now the chief surveyor of the project. I have come to love this country and have found many friends in Meghalaya who share my passion for the hills and their caves.

MG: How did you feel after being named for the ‘Habe’ award. Would you like to dedicate it to something or somebody in Meghalaya?TA: I felt pride and gratitude. Pride because a long and ardous – but always challenging and satisfying work – has found great international recognition. Gratitude to all the people who have been friends and companions, who have helped us along for many years and without whom the exploration of these caves would not have been possible: Cavers from all over the world, the Shillong-based Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association (MAA), the Meghalayan authorities, and – most important – the people of Meghalaya.

In the past ten years, I have explored the caves of the Jantia Hills and had the privilege to experience the hearty and welcoming hospitality of the local people – my special thanks go to the Jaintias.

Above all there are my friends In Shilong to whom I want do dedicate the France Habe Price: Brian D. Kharpran Daly, Maureen Diengdoh, Lindsay Diengdoh, and to my “little sister”: Shelley Diengdoh.

MG: Where, according to you, Meghalaya is lacking in getting noticed in the world arena through cave, or rather, nature tourism?TA: Adventure tourism is a booming business all over the world. Meghalaya’s natural features – jungles, forests, hills, cliffs, waterfalls canyons and caves – have so much potential to become part of this. It’s all there. It just needs initiative of entrepreneurs and well-placed funds.

MG: Would you like to suggest some measures to Meghalaya government so that more foreign tourists like you visit the state?TA: Support the development of toursim companies by granting reduced taxes, “slim” bureaucracy and the possibility to set up bases in relevant areas on government-owned land. Establish a scheme of “tourism ambassadors” who visit international tourism fairs and promote Meghalaya as a potential adventure tourism destination.

MG: When do you have your next plan for caving in Meghalaya.TA: I am again visiting Meghalaya in February 2014. The Caving in the Abode of Clouds Expedition will take place between 1st February and 1st March. We will explore caves in Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills.